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Obituaries – May 29 2014

Cynthia Sue “Cindy” Barnes

WATER VALLEY—Cynthia Sue “Cindy” Barnes, age 59, went to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Oxford in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Missis-sippi.
  Born February 17, 1955, Cindy was a daughter of the late William Allen Barnes, Sr. and Frances Mitchell Barnes of Jackson. She grew up in Jackson, where she attended Jackson public schools and graduated in 1972 from Manhattan School. She attended Mississippi Delta Junior College and graduated from Delta State University where she received a degree in elementary education. She settled in Cleveland, where she began a life-long career as an employee of the State of Mississippi Department of Human Services. She became supervisor of Child Services of Tallahatchie and Quitman counties. During her years of work she lived in Cleveland, Marks, and Water Valley, retiring in March of 2013 after 35 years of service.
    Cindy considered Water Valley her home. She was an active member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and Bible school, sang in the choir, and participated in mission work. She was a fearless protector of all who found themselves in life’s difficult circumstances. She worked tirelessly finding homes for animals, taking many into her own home. She will be remembered fondly by the countless foster children to whom she ministered, even into their adult years.
    Visitation was held Friday, May 23, from 5-7 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service was held Saturday, May 24, at two o’clock in the afternoon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home. Burial was at eleven o’clock in the morning Monday, May 26, in Lakewood Memorial Cemetery, Clinton Road, Jackson.
    Survivors include her brother, William Allen Barnes, Jr. of Jackson; a very special first cousin, Carolyn Stafford Cox (William) of Indianola; her uncle, John H. Barnes (Ginny) of Cleveland; and numerous cousins.
    Memorials may be sent to Woodland Hills Baptist Church, 110 North Main Street, Water Valley, MS 38965, or to the American Lung Association in honor of her father and mother.

Raymond Boyd Bruner

WATER VALLEY—Raymond Boyd Bruner, age 76, died Monday, May 19, 2014, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
    Born July 23, 1937, in Water Valley, Mr. Bruner was a son of the late Raymond Harris and Rosie Gore Bruner. He was a member of North Main Street Methodist Church in Water Valley.  Mr. Bruner was an avid wrestling fan, enjoyed traveling, eating out, reading, watching old movies, and working in his yard.
    Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, May 24, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home. A memorial service followed visitation at noon in the funeral home at Water Valley.
    Mr. Bruner is survived by his niece, Natascha Bruner of Water Valley; a nephew, Michael Bruner (Gail) of Heathsville, Virginia; three great-nieces and nephews; his close friends, Vivian Snider, Margaret Beard, and Mike Redwine, all of Water Valley; and a host of relatives.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Tutor and Irene Cheatham; and a brother, Roy Bruner.

John Henry Oakes

NEWPORT, TENN.—John Henry Oakes, 86, of Newport, went home to be with his Lord May 18, 2014.
   John was married to his high school sweetheart, Martha, for 67 years. They met in Water Valley and were voted “Couple Most In Love” in the 10th grade. John and Martha moved to Memphis in the early 1950s and remained there until 2008.
    John is survived by his loving wife, Martha; children, Sherry and Bobby Overton of Morristown, Tenn. and John and Susan Oakes of Burlington, North Carolina; grandchildren, Dawn Hearn (Peter), Barrett Overton (Shannon), Ryan Oakes and Brandon Oakes; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Ellen Oakes of Gallatin, Tenn.; a niece, nephews, great-nephew and great-nieces.
    He was a World War II Veteran and served in the 385th Military Police Battalion. He was saved in 1951 at a Billy Graham Crusade and was God’s faithful servant—his mission in life was to tell people about Jesus. John was a dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and will be deeply missed by all of these.
    The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, and the funeral service was held at one o’clock Wednesday, May 21, in Westside Chapel Funeral Home, Morristown, Tenn. Burial was Friday, May 23, in the cemetery at Water Valley. Arrangements were by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown.

Ulyess Washington

ST. ROSE, LA.—Ulyess Washington of St. Rose, La. died May 8, 2014 with his family present.
  Memorial services were held for Mr. Washington Saturday,  at 11 a.m., May 17, in Pilgrim Baptist Church in Kenner, La., with Rev. Dr. Mitchell J. Stevens, Sr. officiating. Interment was in Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Saint Rose, La., with Rhosus Eckles, Renold Scott, James Johnson, Lawrence Settles, McKinley Harvey, Charles Torrence, Samuel White, and Claude Wilkerson as pallbearers. Johnny Washington, Roy Washington, Donald Smith, Shannon Washington, Raymond Rankins, Nathaniel Kee, Charles Wilson, Jr., and Jim Bright were honorary pallbearers.
     Born May 3, 1944, in Yazoo City, Mr. Washington was a son of the late Ulius and Bertha Conway Washington. After the death of his mother, he and his siblings, Johnny and the late Yola Washington, were lovingly reared by his father and his stepmother, Maggie.
    He graduated from high school in Yazoo City, served in the United States Army, and graduated from Alcorn State University. At Alcorn he met many friends and formed many lifelong alliances, the best of which lasted 43 years. He married Autrey Louise Smith in Coffeeville May 30, 1970. After marriage they moved to Chicago and several  years later the union was blessed with a daughter, Tabitha Jacinta. The family also  lived in Knoxville, Tenn. and both Kenner and St. Rose, La.
    Ulyess became a member of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church in Yazoo City and maintained membership there until moving. He served as a deacon and treasurer of Pilgrim Baptist Church.
    After employment with the United States Department of Energy for decades, where he was Assistant Project Manger in the Finance Division, he retired and began another career with SUPRA Home Care and Critique Resource Consulting Corporation, Inc.
    He enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, and cooking. Ulyess was a member of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. of Louisiana, The Original Dukes Social Club, Eight Ball Fishing Club, and the Alcorn State University Alumni Association.
    Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Autrey L. Washington; daughter, Tabitha J. Washington; stepmother, Maggie Washington of Yazoo City; brother, Johnny Washington of Atlanta, Ga.;  several brothers-in-law, among whom is Elroy Smith of Coffeeville; and several sisters-in-law, among whom is Dorothy Kee (Nathaniel) of Coffeeville.

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